Sen. Rand Paul last week announced that he would seek re-election to the United States Senate in 2016.

“I ran for office because, like many Kentuckians, I was alarmed at the problems facing our country: a stagnant and uneven economy, a growing national debt, out-of-control federal spending, a disastrous health care plan, the assault on our civil rights and liberties, and a misguided foreign policy,” said Sen. Paul.

City council members Glenda Wathen, Alex LaRue and Jim Phelps were honored Monday at their last council meeting.

LaRue is finishing up a two-year term, while Wathen and Phelps have served in some capacity a total of 41 years. Wathen was either mayor or on the council for 19 years while Phelps served 22 years as a councilman.

New council members Mitchell Key, Don Costello, Larry Davis and Sharon Hornback were sworn in, along with those elected to another term: Bonni Clark and Woodie Handley.

Kentucky Senate Republicans last week chose two new faces to lead them for the next two years.

In a meeting behind closed doors in the Capitol Annex, they elected David Givens, who runs a farm supply business in Greensburg, for the chamber’s No. 2 position of president pro tem, and Jimmy Higdon, a Lebanon grocer, to be majority whip.

Retaining their leadership positions were Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester, Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer of Georgetown and Majority Caucus Chairman Dan Seum of Louisville.

Kentucky Senate Republicans Tuesday chose two new faces to lead them for the next two years.

In a meeting behind closed doors in the Capitol Annex, they elected David Givens, who runs a farm supply business in Greensburg, for the chamber’s No. 2 position of president pro tem, and Jimmy Higdon, a Lebanon grocer, to be majority whip.

Retaining their leadership positions were Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester, Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer of Georgetown and Majority Caucus Chairman Dan Seum of Louisville.